As I've posted before, I've been having a lot of pain lately. Sometimes so bad I can't even lie on my stomach at night. I suspect some of it is from the fact that I'm chronically very constipated as a result of the meds I need to take because of Nutcracker Esophagus. Funny name-- potentially dangerous condition. I did e-mail Dr. Ortiz with all this, and he was leaning toward removal...wants me to come down there, but...

Since my insurance changed to much lower out-of-network benefits, and since Dr. Ortiz's hospital charges are higher than I can pay, along w/transportation, hotel, etc., I was kind of dithering around...made 2 different doc appoints & didn't really know what to do or whom to see. (Amazing how lack of insurance coverage limits things.)

Yesterday the pain was so bad that I called my internist/gastro (whom I really trust & who diagnosed the nutcracker) & said "listen, I know you don't know what a band looks like, but you have to find me someone who does cause this really hurts". Turns out, he's started doing endos with a band doc, now knows what it looks like, and can share the pictures of an endo with him.

I had the endo today, he couldn't really see anything, but will consult w/the band doc. Meanwhile I called the band doc (Dr. Vohra, for anyone who's from Long Island) who got on the phone right away and confirmed what I've been feeling for a while now:

The meds for the nutcracker aren't agreeing with me; the nutcracker could very well resolve itself if I have the band removed; the nutcracker is potentially too dangerous to fool around with, and since I can't have more than a .5cc fill, the band has basically done its work. I have very mild restriction, but basically the band is just there and not very useful. Even if it doesn't resolve itself, the next step in treatment is definately not band-compatible, which is botox injected into the esophagus.

When I see Dr. Vohra on Wednesday, he will have seen the pix of the endoscopy & will be in a better position to tell me if there's any erosion, etc., but the point is still that both doctors feel strongly that it has to go. Oh yeah, he'll work around my insurance, admit me thru emergency, etc.

So that's my long story. Some of you have followed my journey; never easy because I couldn't keep my fills, only knowing why after the diagnosis. My first thought after speaking to the doctor, and EXACTLY what my husband said, was: "Don't ever think it wasn't worth it." And I don't.

More details to follow after I see Dr. Vohra on Wednesday.

karen sorry to hear your news. I am not sure what is a nutcracker esophagus but i hate to hear that you have been suffering. I think a gastronologist told me I had Esophugus Motility Disorder. Very slow moving, but I htink mine is more band problem than the esophagus. Good luck and best wishes to you.